Great Barrier Reef: Trip of a Lifetime from UK Telegraph

From the Telegraph newspaper in London yesterday afternoon, they have this headline: "The Great Barrier Reef, Australia: Trip of a Lifetime" with these highlights: "Mark Chipperfield offers a guide to experiencing the Great Barrier Reef, from the hedonism of Cairns to diving on the pristine outer reef."

Here are a few summary points/items for this part of Australia: "Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is a place that generates superlatives – but instantly transcends them. Rated as one of the seven wonders of the natural world, it stretches for 2,300 kilometres (1,430 miles) along the Queensland coast – from Bundaberg to the Torres Strait. In addition to being the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem, this World Heritage Site is also the planet’s largest protected marine area, supporting 400 types of coral, 1,500 species of fish and 4,000 types of mollusc. Apart from a phantasmagoria of tropical fish, the reef is also home to whales, dugongs, turtles, reef sharks, dolphins and is an important bird habitat. For the past 50 years, the Great Barrier Reef has been a magnet for divers, sailors and people who dream of finding their own South Sea paradise. The reef, therefore, has a remarkably well-developed tourist infrastructure. A number of islands, such as Lizard, Bedarra and Hayman, have their own self-contained luxury resorts – others offer little more than a tent and hammock."

For our Jan. 12-16 period in that area, we will have three full days there. This timing is not perfect as the southern winter (June to August) is best when water temperatures are a pleasant 70F and the days are clear and sunny. In this tropical area, there are two seasons: the wet and the dry. The wettest part of the year is from January to March and this is also the cyclone season. We will also be there during the Australian school holidays when things are more heavily booked. Marine stingers are a big problem between November and March. Stinger suits need to be worn during this period. We knew these challenges in advance, but feel it is worth the risks to experience the rewards.

They also note: "An absolute must is a visit to the prehistoric Daintree National Park — including a side trip to Cape Tribulation where the rainforest meets the reef." We are definitely planning to do the Daintree rainforest during our time in this area.

Two couples from Central Ohio in our group are planning to be with us in Port Douglas during this period. Here is one dining suggestion from this article for this town near the key coral and rainforest areas:

On the Inlet, Port Douglas: "Located on an old wharf, this well-established seafood restaurant couldn’t get much closer to the water; it even has a resident giant groper fish that visits every evening. Nothing too sophisticated, but great value for money – try the local mud crabs, freshly shucked oysters or pan-fried coral trout. See portdouglasseafood.com."

Any other suggestions for doing the Great Barrier Reef area prior to or after our Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014 Solstice cruise? There were several pictures shown with this UK news article, plus many other details to consider for this exciting area. Below are three pictures from this area to share.

Full story at:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/trip-of-a-lifetime/10148532/The-Great-Barrier-Reef-Australia-Trip-of-a-Lifetime.html

THANKS for any other, added insights, tips, secrets, etc.! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 111,432 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

Here are three interesting visuals in connection with the Great Barrier Reef. This includes a couple of people snorkeling in these scenic areas, then an aerial view for how the boat from shore docks near one of the coral areas and then an underwater shot showing a turtle swimming. These are from the Bing.com website. Very dramatic and exciting area!!: